Cam-Gear Linear Drive Layout for Compact Cooling Performance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linear drive apparatuses in motor vehicle driving force assemblies are not compact, have a large volume, are heavy, and suffer from poor heat dissipation, which affects their efficiency and emissions control.

Innovation Solution

A linear drive apparatus with a cam gear transmission system, a compact design featuring a cam gear with weight-saving holes, a non-contact sensor, and a cooling water path surrounding the linear motion assembly, along with a return spring and limiting pin for mechanical stoppage, to reduce weight and enhance heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional transmission gears are used in linear drive apparatus, then the apparatus can achieve reliable power transmission, but the overall volume and weight of the apparatus become relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidapparatus volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cam gear is integrated into the housing structure, with the cam groove part forming a nested configuration where the bearing moves along the cam groove within the housing space. This nesting approach allows the transmission mechanism to be embedded within the existing structural envelope, reducing overall apparatus volume while maintaining power transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cam gear combines multiple functions into a single component: the cam gear part provides power transmission through meshing teeth, while the cam groove part simultaneously guides the bearing and converts rotational motion to linear motion. This merging of transmission and motion conversion functions into one integrated component reduces the number of separate parts and compactes the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional transmission gears are used in linear drive apparatus, then the apparatus can achieve reliable power transmission, but the weight of the apparatus becomes relatively heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidapparatus weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cam gear is nested within the housing structure, utilizing the housing space for the transmission mechanism. This nesting reduces the need for additional supporting structures and minimizes the overall material required, thereby reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity and power transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The integration of the cam gear part and cam groove part into a single transmission gear component reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This merging reduces the cumulative weight of multiple separate components while maintaining the necessary power transmission function through the combined structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If compact design is implemented to reduce volume, then the apparatus size is reduced, but heat dissipation effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus volumeVSAvoidheat dissipation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling water path is designed to surround the linear motion assembly in a three-dimensional configuration, with water channels arranged in multiple directions and planes. This multi-dimensional cooling approach maximizes the heat exchange surface area within the compact housing volume, allowing effective heat dissipation without increasing the overall apparatus size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling water path is segmented into multiple channels and passages that are distributed around the linear motion assembly. This segmentation allows cooling water to flow through multiple separate paths, increasing the total heat exchange area and improving heat dissipation effectiveness within the limited space of the compact housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution results in a compact, lightweight, and efficient linear drive apparatus with improved heat dissipation, enhancing air intake efficiency and reducing emissions.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling water path which surrounds the linear motion assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a cooling water path which surrounds the linear motion assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the bearing is located in the cam groove part, so as to convert rotational motion of the cam gear to linear motion of the linear motion assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical motion conversion: Cam

Implementation Method 4

the sensor is a non-contact sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-contact sensing: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3433512B1Linear drive apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP3433512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3433512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3433512B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present device relates to a linear drive apparatus comprising the following structure: a housing (1); and, located inside the housing (1): an electric motor (2), a transmission gear (3) which meshes with an output gear on an output shaft of the electric motor (2), and a gear shaft (4) and a linear motion assembly (5); the transmission gear (3) is mounted on the gear shaft (4), the linear motion assembly (5) is mounted in such a way as to cooperate with the transmission gear (3), and converts rotational motion of the transmission gear (3) to linear motion; wherein an axis of the linear motion assembly is arranged in the same plane as an axis of the electric motor output shaft and an axis of the gear shaft. The linear drive apparatus provided by the present device has the advantages of a compact structure, small volume, light weight and good heat dissipation effect.